"You know, I think that this award means more to her than anything she's ever received," he told us backstage. "She was texting me after the award, after I picked it up for her, and she just said, 'You know, more than anything I've ever gotten before, this means more to me, because "Born This Way" is about the fans and the fans are more important to me than anything I do; more important than f---ing breathing, you know?' "

And Calderone wasn't lying: Gaga later took to Twitter to thank her dedicated fans for their votes. "I couldn't be more overwhelmed+grateful as I am tonight. Little Monsters inspire me. Never give up on your vision, you were born this way," she wrote. "To win 2VMAs, Best Video with a Message + Best Female Video for 'Born This Way' means the world. I have never believed in a work so much."

She also appreciated the fans' support of Calderone. "Thank u monsters for supporting @jocalderone attending instead of myself," she wrote. "He came over last night with 2 moonmen, whiskey + we watched VMAs."